The NRA Home Air Gun Program 1st Edition – April 2012 © Copyright 2012 National Rifle Association of America. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. To order support materials, please call the NRA Program Materials Center toll free at 1-800-336-7402, or visit us online at: www.materials.nrahq.org Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time Prices subject to change without notice. All orders subject to shipping fees and sales tax where applicable. Table of Contents
ii Introduction 1 Chapter 1: Parents’ Role in Shooting Sports 1 Scoring Targets 2 Chapter 2: Types and Uses of BB and Air Guns 2 Retention: Make it Fun 3 Recreational Air Guns 3 Shopping for Air Guns 3 Gun Selection 3 BB Guns 4 Beginner Air Rifles 4 Sporter Air Guns 5 Precision Air Guns 5 Pellets 6 Chapter 3: Selection of Equipment i 6 Shopping List 8 Air Gun Manufacturers & Suppliers 9 Chapter 4: Constructing an Air Gun Range 9 Things to Consider 9 Primary Backstops 11 Range Layout and Flow
12 Formal Competitive Range table of contents 12 Portable Ranges 13 Chapter 5: The Next Steps 13 Why Shoot Competitively? 13 NRA Classification System 13 Tournaments 13 Youth Hunter Education Challenge 14 Path to the Olympics 14 Awards and Scholarships 14 Outstanding Achievement Youth Award 14 NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Youth Essay Contest 14 Youth Education Summit 14 NRA Youth Wildlife Art Contest 14 Affiliating or Enrolling with the NRA 15 Grants from The NRA Foundation for Your Shooting Sports Program 15 NRA Training 15 Become an Instructor 16 Glossary Introduction
The NRA’s Home Air Gun NRA Marksmanship Qualifica- Program brings marksmanship tion Program activities. This activities directly to the com- qualification program provides munity where a new apprecia- continuing performance lev- tion for the shooting sports can els that shooters use to gauge be kindled and pursued. The their development. The step- intent of this guide is to pro- levels are score-based aver- vide parents, teachers, activity ages which are challenging but leaders and club leaders with attainable from the beginning information and guidance on to the highest level. Reach- the exciting world of BB gun ing each of these levels builds and air gun shooting sports.* self-confidence and gives the This program will guide you on: participants a sense of accom- how to conduct a safe and fun plishment. The Winchester/ BB and air gun shooting exer- NRA Marksmanship Qualifica- cise, how to construct portable tion Program is not only for and permanent ranges, how to youth but for all ages interested select a BB or air gun, where to in shooting. ii purchase them and a curricu- lum to follow. Shooting sports have helped youth learn how to achieve The Home Air Gun Program’s goals, while learning self- flexibility will enable you to discipline, time management, individualize each program to acceptance of responsibility, meet your needs, whether it respect for others, loyalty, lead- introduction is a one-time fun event or a ership, selflessness and, espe- program that leads to a com- cially, teamwork. petitive shooting program. Exposure to the shooting sports * While the terms “BB gun and also instills life skills, such as air gun” are commonly used self-discipline, concentration together in this document, it or simply learning how to fol- should be noted they are not low the rules. Even a simple the same. summer program that operates once a week for a period of six weeks can provide an excellent opportunity for discovery and the development of a lifelong hobby. For parents, teachers, activ- ity leaders or club leaders, we have included an air rifle orientation session and Power Point presentation covering safe gun handling and beginning marksmanship. After safety and basic marksmanship have been learned, continued interest is supported with the Winchester/ Chapter 1: Parents’ Role in Shooting
Why do kids play sports? Coaches develop competitors Scoring Targets from the beginning stages Kids play sports for many dif- through high school and (See illustration below.) For ferent reasons, such as to make college teams to the national additional scoring rules and friends, get out from behind level. NRA instructors teach the clarifications on scoring plugs the computer or TV and to be NRA’s basic firearm courses. consult the NRA’s rule books or more physically active. They For more information about see: www.nrahq.org/compete/ also may want to learn new the NRA’S Coach School visit: targetsbooks.asp. skills or improve on skills they www.nrahq.org/education/ have, and, mainly, to have fun. training/coaching/coach_ training_schools.asp. To enroll Kids develop a positive self- in one of our many instructor image by mastering a skill such classes see: www.nrainstructor. 1 as shooting. They also learn to org. work as a team, and by doing so gain social skills and learn to respect others. Learning to appreciate an active lifestyle through the shooting sports can become a lifelong activity. As parents you have the oppor- tunity to help build your child’s self-esteem by emphasizing skill development and keeping winning in perspective—all parents’ role in shooting while cheering them on, stay- ing positive and not pushing them too much. Parents should be involved! As in any sport, the coach or instructor cannot do it all. There are many things a parent Hits: “X”=1, “10”=2, “9”=2 can help with such as: keeping Score: 48 points, 1-X the youth who are waiting to shoot occupied, and keeping stats for the Winchester/NRA Scoring Targets Marksmanship Qualification • Hits outside the scoring rings have a value of Program: www.nrahq. zero. org/education/training/ marksmanship/index.asp. For • Hits completely or partially inside a scoring those with an interest in the ring receive that ring’s value. shooting sports, becoming a • Hits that touch a scoring ring receive that coach or instructor is a new and exciting hobby. NRA ring’s value. Chapter 2: Air Gun Appeal
ir gun shooting is by far excellent tool for meaningful more competitive goals, you Athe most flexible, diverse exposure and learning shoot- need to make sure that it is and adaptable shooting activity ing skills. Their dimunitive size fun. When an activity becomes available today. and weight make it possible too monotonous people tend for younger, smaller children to drop out. Introducing your • Air guns promote discipline to participate in marksmanship shooters to the Winchester/ diversity. Within the dis- activities. NRA Marksmanship Qualifica- cipline of airguns are rifle tion Program (www.nrahq.org/ applications and within rifle Starting young can really pay education/training/marksman- are recreational, sporter and off! Just ask Kim Rhode. She ship/index.asp) is one way to precision disciplines. There started shooting when she was keep shooters engaged. Per- are also pistol applications. six, and at the age of 17, she formance is measured against won her first Olympic gold established par scores, and any • Air guns promote equip- medal in double trap (1996 shooter who meets or exceeds ment diversity, including Summer Olympics). Patty Spur- those scores is entitled to the BB guns and air guns that gin Pitney was just 18 when corresponding recognition include recreational mod- she won the women’s air rifle awards for that rating. It’s an els, sporter models, training gold medal in 1984. 2 models and high-tech preci- honor system. sion models. Another great appeal is that a Shooters acquire the large dis- formal range is not required. cipline patch at the onset of the • Air guns promote target di- An air gun range can be set program and as each rating is versity. Target types include up anywhere there is space; earned, they are entitled to all knockdowns, spinners, indoors—in a home, basement, of the corresponding awards for noisemakers, silhouettes, garage, barn, gym, classroom the rating. Each rating level has cans, homemade targets, or clubhouse, or outdoors—in a skill rocker, medal and certifi- air gun appeal stationary targets, moving a yard, field or even under a cate award that recognizes and targets, metal targets, bulls- tent. An air gun range can be highlights the achievement. eye targets and pop-ups. a temporary arrangement that • Air guns promote applica- can be quickly dismantled if Monthly matches can be tion diversity, including space is needed, or it can be another fun event to keep the safety education, fun shoot- permanent with a foundation participants engaged and start ing, marksmanship training, and cover. In essence, you steering them toward more hunter safety education and can make it as simple or as formal competitions. The learn- hunting applications, tar- elaborate as you want it to be. ing scenarios, activities and Versatility, diversity, low cost, events you design into the pro- get practice, biathlons and informal ranges, and a variety competition—all the way of applications and activities all from local, fun matches to contribute to air gun popular- world-class events such as ity and appeal. See Chapter 4 World Cup matches, to the for more details, including legal Pan-American Games and considerations when planning even the Olympic Games. a range and the discharge of air Air gun popularity and appeal guns. is also rooted in the low dol- lar investment costs associated with setting up and running the Retention–Make it Fun activity. Entry-level air guns are inexpensive yet durable, ac- Whether your group meets to curate, easy to handle and an shoot recreationally or it has gram are limited only by your Shopping For Air Guns glean price lists from manufac- imagination. turers selling this type of gun Things to Consider When and start to compare models, Shopping for Air Guns prices, features, etc., shop- ping the best value. Customer Recreational Air Guns While some air gun manufac- service representatives from turers may distinguish “adult” A recreational program is one the various manufacturers can air guns from others, or recom- provide assistance. of the best entry-level activities mend a minimum age for a to teach new shooters about certain type of gun, there are gun safety and marksmanship no rating standards that are skills. Getting people interested common among manufactur- Gun Selection and excited about shooting ers in the industry. So, before sports is a big first step that can starting to shop, try to establish When selecting a gun—wheth- be easily accomplished with a few general parameters for er BB gun or an air gun—you inexpensive, recreational BB the type of gun you would like should consider its primary and pellet guns. Once interest is to buy. This doesn’t mean you use. Will it be a child’s first established, there are numerous can’t change your mind along exposure to shooting, or for a paths that can be followed into the way; it just gives you a plan youth that has had some expe- the organized and structured so you can compare apples to rience and wants to progress to world of shooting sports. apples in the shopping process. a more formal shooting arena? Will it be for a beginner or for Constructing a recreational Some of the things you should an advanced shooter trying to air gun range is easy. Vari- consider are: intended use, compete at national matches? ous recreational targets such type of air gun, caliber, cocking Another thing to consider is 3 as knockdowns, silhouettes, force, accuracy level (at what cost, especially at the precision swinging soda cans, block distance) and the amount of air gun level. stacks, water balloons, paint money you plan to spend. balls, hard-rock candy, colorful Stock fit is important so the geometric shapes, spinners and Identify the air gun’s intended correct fundamentals can be noisemakers can be randomly purpose—for plinking, target learned and performed. A rifle placed downrange anywhere shooting, qualification shooting, that is either too big or to heavy between 15 and 25 feet. The competition shooting or per- will not allow the athlete to get air gun appeal targets can be sitting on straw haps some of each. Identify the into the correct position. The bales, dangled from strings and type of air gun (air rifle or air shooter will struggle and not be mounted on frames or stands. pistol) you want to buy and the nearly as successful. Butt plates Or if you prefer, the range can type of action you prefer, giv- and check pieces can be added be completely set up with reac- ing special consideration to the if the gun is too small. If the tive and resettable targets that amount of muscle effort it takes gun is too big and heavy, using eliminate the need for target to cock the gun. If you think a youth-model gun would be a replacements. Either way, target your shooters may have trouble better choice. variety is the key. with over-lever or break-barrel mechanisms, you may want In order to recognize the ac- to consider compressed air or complishments of the shoot- CO2 air guns, which eliminate BB Guns ers, any number of awards for cocking effort altogether. Iden- participation, skill recognition, BB guns are a great way to in- tify the features you would like troduce someone to the shoot- matches and games can be to have on the gun: wood stock created. Computer-generated ing sports. They are the most vs. plastic or composite stock; affordable way to learn safe gun certificates with spaces for open sights vs. target sights or a attractive stickers/seals that handling skills and basic funda- scope; sling vs. no sling; pellet mentals because the equipment acknowledge learned gun projectiles vs. BBs, etc. safety or perfect attendance, for cost is less than some of the air example, can be invented. With a base plan, you can go guns, and a range can virtually directly to the manufacturers be set up anywhere. For the that produce the type (or grade) official NRA rule book please of air gun you want. Acquire visit: www.nrahq.org/compete/ catalogs or go to websites to RuleBooks/Bbgun/bb-book.pdf Below are three of the most have a better grade of trigger popular BB guns: and a higher degree of accura- Tip: Pump Air cy compared to a recreational Daisy Red Ryder gun. To qualify for the sporter Rifles category, the weight of the rifle When multi-pump air guns (including air or CO2 tank, if are used, caution must be appropriate, but not including taken to ensure only the the sling) with sights, may not manufacturer’s recommend- exceed 7.5 lbs (3.40 kg). Please ed number of pumps are consult the NRA’s official rule completed by the shooters. Daisy Pink gun book for additional clarifica- Over-pumping can cause tion: www.nrahq.org/compete/ damage to the gun and in- nra-rule-books.asp jury to the shooter. The best In the sporter class, there are accuracy is achieved with several levels. A good example fewer than the maximum of the beginner level, which is number of pumps. a basic training model, is the Daisy Avanti 499 (Competition Daisy 853. It is a single shot, BB Gun) bolt-action rifle that must be The next in class is the compe- cocked before each shot by tition grade sporter air rifles. pulling out the cocking arm and returning it to the shooting Daisy 888 position. This can be a chal- lenge to some of the younger 4 and smaller shooters. Beginner Air Rifles Beginning Air Rifles: The Daisy 853 is a good ex- Daisy 853 Air Arms T200 Sporter ample of a beginning Sporter Air Rifle. air gun appeal Sporter Air Guns Sporter air guns provide a Crosman’s Challenger 2000 means to move from the recre- IZH 60 ational air gun arena to a more structured type of activity with an emphasis on training and skill development. Sporter is a class which, by the rules, al- These air rifles are usually pow- lows only street clothes, a sling, ered by CO2 or compressed glove and a kneeling roll. The air, making it more attractive guns are moderately priced and to competitive shooters be- cause the shooter only needs to cock the gun and then pull the trigger to release a regulated Did you know? amount of gas that propels the While BB guns are generally included in the recreational air gun pellet down range. The Daisy category, there are competitions and other programs geared 888 cylinder holds enough gas specifically for BB guns. The NRA conducts an annual postal to fire about 200 shots before it needs refilling. match from January through May; it is open to youngsters from 8-15 years old. See www.nrahq.org/compete/dept-postal. For complete handling direc- asp for more information. Daisy Outdoor Products sponsors tion of CO2 and compressed the National BB Gun Championship Match for kids; for more air, please consult the owner’s information, visit www.daisy.com/daisynationals/. manual or purchase wall charts from the NRA Materials Center: Precision Air Guns include: materials.nrahq.org/go/product. Tip: BBs/Pellets aspx?productid=CC%2019725 Air Arms S400 Never reuse pellets or BBs. These projectiles are easily deformed upon impact with Precision Air Guns a target/backstop, and can Anshutz 8001 Club Air Air Rifle Precision air guns represent yet cause damage to the air gun another level of applications if reused. Likewise, if new and activities that can be con- unused air gun projectiles ducted for interested shooters. happen to be deformed, do Precision air rifles are generally not use them. high-tech, imported and more expensive. By nature, precision Feinwerkbau 500 usually from 4.48 mm to 4.51 air gun shooting embraces a mm for .177 caliber pellets. The commitment to high levels of best pellet for one rifle may not training and competition that be the best for another. Like- can carry shooters all the way wise, the “same sized” pellet through college to the pres- No matter what type or model from a different manufacturer tigious world events and on or even the same manufacturer to the Olympic Games. The air gun you eventually decide upon, you should read and but a different lot number may weight of a precision air gun not shoot as well as another with sights cannot exceed more completely understand the owner’s manual. pellet in an individual rifle. than 5.5 kgs (12.12 lbs.); consult Make sure the rifle is clean 5 the NRA’s official rule book before doing serious pellet test- for additional rule clarification: ing. Also make sure that your www.nrahq.org/compete/Rule- Pellets shooters wash their hands with Books/PAR/par-book.pdf cold soapy water after handling Pellet cost is small compared Additional equipment required pellets, as they are made of to ammo for other shooting lead. for precision air rifle shooting disciplines. You do not need such as shooting jacket, pants, the best pellets for beginning air gun appeal boots and gloves must conform shooters. Start with pellets that to International Rules, either “hold the ten ring” and then USA Shooting or NRA Interna- move to more expensive “one tional Rifle Rules. hole” pellets as the athlete improves. Test pellets with all air rifles that are available—you might be surprised! Over the past few years NRA found that individual air rifles can be sen- sitive to various lots of pellets. Pellets come in different lead sizes from the manufacturer, Tip: Dry Firing Some air guns are specially equipped to allow dry firing (shooting with an unloaded gun), but others are not. To avoid potential damage to the gas seals and other parts of the gun, follow the recommended guidelines in the owner’s manual. Chapter 3: Equipment Selection
Shopping List for a BB or ground if they are shooting • Shooting Stand: Such stand outdoors. is designed to be used as Air Rifle Program a rest between shots in the • Kneeling Rolls: These rolls standing position. • Eye Protection: BB gun and are used to support the air gun projectiles can rico- ankle when shooting from chet and cause eye injuries. the kneeling position. The • Sandbags and Gun Rests: rules specify that a cylin- Most youth arrive at the drical roll made of a soft range with little or no and flexible material, not experience. To help them exceeding 25 cm in length achieve the greatest pos- and 18 cm in diameter, is sible degree of satisfaction allowed. Binding or other 6 and success during the early devices to shape the roll are stages of learning, the gun not permitted. The kneeling should be stabilized (sup- roll is filled with a material ported) while they learn to that will flow and conform apply the fundamentals of to the ankle. In this way the sight alignment and trigger kneeling roll provides firm squeeze. For this reason, support and adjusts to the a sandbag, gun rest, rolled anatomic structure of the carpet or a rolled towel foot.
should be available at each • Shooting Glove: (optional) equipment selection firing point. The glove provides protec- • Slings: The sling supports tion for the shooter’s sling the rifle in all positions hand. except standing. Most rules • Ammo Block: This helps allow up to 1¼-inch maxi- the shooter remember how mum width. Refer to indi- many shots have been fired. vidual tournament rules. • Spotting Scope: This can be • Mats: (for shooting from as simple as a binocular or the prone position); Or use a scope made specifically a strip of carpet, an old for viewing shots on the blanket or choose commer- target. cial mats that have a no-slip area sewn into them. The main reason for a shooting mat is to prevent the shoot- Shopping for Advanced er from sliding, especially if Shooters: he or she is shooting on a slippery floor. Another rea- • Shooting Jacket, Pants and son is to keep the shooters Boots from direct contact with the YOUTH ORGANIZATION DISCOUNT CODES NRA Youth Clubs/ IN School Educators Safari Clubs NRA Day NRAISE Internationals/AWLS NRAYPC NRAAWLS Home School Illinois American Legion/ NRAHSIL Royal Rangers VFW NRARR NRAALVF Home School NRAHS YMCA Boy Scouts of NRAYMCA America JROTC NRABSA NRAJROTC 4-H NRA-4-H Girl Scouts of National High School America Rodeo Association NRAGSA NRANHSRA Air Gun Manufacturers & Marksman Products Suppliers 5582 Argosy Drive Huntington Beach, CA 92649 AirForce AirGuns 800-822-8005 or 714-898- B ox 2478 7535 Fort Worth, TX 76113 www.marksman.com 877-247-4867 (Adult Air guns) Pyramyd Air www.airforceairguns.com 5135 Naiman Parkway Solon, OH 44139 Beeman Precision Airguns 888-262-4867 1 0 6 5 2 B l o o m fi e l d A v e www.pyramydair.com Santa Fe Springs, CA www.beeman.com Benjamin/Sheri- dan CO (Crosman) Rts. 5 & 20 Bloomfield, NY 14469 585-657-6161 or 800-724-7456 www.crosman.com Champions Choice 201 International Blvd. La Vergne, TN 37086 8 615-793-4066 www.champchoice.com Champion Shooters Supply Box 303, 42 North High St. New Albany, OH 43054 800-822-8005 www.championshooters.com Crosman Rts. 5 & 20 equipment selection Bloomfield, NY 14443 585-657-6161 or 800-724-7456 www.crosman.com Daisy Outdoor Products PO Box 220 Rogers, AR 72757 8 0 0 - 6 4 3 - 3 4 5 8 www.daisy.com Umarex USA 7700 Chad Colley Blvd. Fort Smith, AR 72916 479-646-4210 www.umarexusa.com Gamo Outdoor 3911 SW 47th Ave #914 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314 954-581-5822 www.gamo.com Chapter 4: Constructing an Air Gun Range
Things to Consider When Location: Constructing a BB or Air Safety is the primary Gun Range consideration when establishing a site State and local law affects or for any shooting may affect the discharge and sports activity. Any possession of BB or air guns, air gun range, formal including but not limited to or informal, should age and parental or adult su- provide sufficient pervision requirements. State space for the activi- and local law also affects or ties planned, have may affect the construction controlled and lim- and/or operation of a BB or ited access, and be 9 air gun range. These laws vary located away from by state and locality. Other regular activity areas. Access: laws may address the use of certain ammunition, such as Indoors: Access to the range should be lead pellets. You must verify limited to one controlled point that your planned activity is Ensure any door or access way of entry. allowed under the law. NRA forward of the firing line is has an attorney referral service blocked and posted with warn- available to Members. The ing signs and alternate points of attorney referral list is main- entry. Primary Backstops: tained as a courtesy service for Outdoors: Earth and sand hills make our Members. The attorneys excellent natural backstops on this list have expressed Ensure explorers, hikers or
provided there are no rocks constructing an air gun range an interest in representing hunters cannot wander into the or debris that might cause BBs firearm owners, but they are area without meeting warning and pellets to ricochet. When not NRA employees and NRA signs, flags, fences and safety earthen backstops are used, does not make any recom- barriers alerting them to a two horizontal, parallel string mendation or representation danger zone—the more warn- lines the height of a target can regarding the attorneys on this ings the better. Make certain be strung across the target line list. Please note that any fee no one can approach the range and secured to side posts or arrangements and expenses between the firing line and the stakes. Targets can be hung are the personal responsibility target line, or from the down- between the two lines using of the individual seeking legal range area around or over the clothespins on all four corners. advice. If you would like to backstop/impact area. Flag- take advantage of an attorney poles at all road and footpath referral, you may contact the entrances should fly a large red NRA Office of General Coun- range flag whenever the range sel at (703) 267-1250. is in use. Additional sets of lines can be Metal traps should not be used strung at different heights to ac- for BBs unless they are specifi- Recipe for a commodate different shooting cally designed for that purpose.) positions. Target heights can be easily Successful Air adjusted by adding or removing Gun Event BB and pellet traps are the empty milk crates. Additional (Serves 12 at a time; recipe most popular backstops for space will also be needed maybe reduced) air gun shooting. A simple behind the target line for the and inexpensive trap can primary backstop (and second- • 38 Hay Bales be constructed using a plain ary backstop, if needed). • 12 Air Gun Spinner cardboard box; it works well for both BB and pellet guns A quick and easy way to set Targets provided it is properly stuffed. up a temporary BB or pellet • 12 Air Rifles Pack the back two-thirds of the range is to stack two rows of • CO2 Cartridges box with magazines, telephone hay bales to make an effective books and/or folded newspa- backstop. The bales should be (optional) pers, making sure the materials stacked in a brick-like fashion. • 12 Safety Glasses overlap, fill the corners and To minimize weak areas the • 6 Six-Foot Tables cannot settle. Tightly pack the butting joints of the second front of the box (where the row should not be in alignment • 12 Chairs target will hang) with crumpled with the front row. Pulling a • 12 Gun Rests and Bean newspapers. If you close and few random bales forward in Bags seal the box, mark the side the front row provides shelves with the crumpled newspapers for spinner, silhouettes and • Plenty of Pellets so you know where to hang the other reactive-type targets. 10 target. This type of trap is ideal for capturing and containing Setting up a range for sporter air rifle is also easy. A precision air gun range fired BBs. BB traps can also be requires a target line at 10 purchased commercially from Simply establish a target line meters and can be set up with air gun manufacturers. (Note: at 10 meters (approximately 33 portable traps (as with a sporter BBs have a tendency to bounce feet) and arrange a row of com- range), or a target runner/re- back and ricochet when they mercial pellet traps along the trieval system can be used. hit a hard, flat surface. target line equal to the num- With a target runner/retrieval ber of firing points you desire. system, the trap is mounted to Portable, metal pellet traps are a wall at the target line, and the inexpensive and come in a va- runner wheel is mounted to a riety of sizes and fabrications. sturdy table at the firing line
They are lightweight, easy to and stored behind the trap. constructing an air gun range handle and capture the fired pellets for easy cleanup. To Manual and electrical runners accommodate different shoot- are available. ing positions (benchrest, prone, Note: Target carriers may not sitting, kneeling and standing), be suitable for position rifle place the pellet traps on top of shooting. a stack of milk crates or light- weight wooden boxes for quick Secondary Backstop: and easy target height adjust- ment. Hang targets over the A secondary backstop may traps, and the range is ready for be required to further pro- a variety of meaningful training tect areas, walls, or buildings applications. against BBs or pellets that miss the primary backstop. It can be This pellet target frame is por- constructed by hanging tarpau- table, easily constructed and lin, canvas, carpet or multiple will also allow shooting from layers of strong cloth behind different positions. Just follow the traps. Take care to ensure the given blueprints. Pellet Target Frame
Plywood and metal Top back Back Screw
2x4 Back Front 3/8” or 1/2” plywood Metal 3 1/4” 66” high 2x4 16-gauge steel OK Cardboard Plywood and metal Groove for cardboard back 25” wide Plywood 1 1/2” leg Front Cardboard
Two 1/4” x 2 1/4” carriage bolts 11 with wing nuts 1/2” thick plywood leg the materials hang loosely. (Ma- commodate the shooter in vari- Firing Point and Target Identi- terials that are strung too tightly ous shooting positions (prone, fication: will have a trampoline effect kneeling, sitting, standing), his/ when struck with projectiles.) her equipment and the instruc- Each firing point and cor- Other materials that work just tor or coach. Four- to six-feet responding target should be as well for secondary backstops wide by six feet deep is ideal. clearly identified to keep ac- are sand bags, hay bales and cidental crossfiring to a mini- hills. constructing an air gun range
Range Layout and Flow: Informal Range/Practice Range: Firing Line: A distinct three- inch-wide line should be established across the length of the range, encompassing all the firing points. Firing Points: The number of firing points in a given area will be defined by the amount of space you desire for each firing point. Firing points should be sized to ac- mum. Large number boards are tables, equipment turn-in and be maintained for their use. If customary; however, nothing eventually to the range exit. targets are to be scored by the prevents a little colorful cre- instructor(s), a sturdy wind- ativity on an informal air gun Thoroughfare: proof box can be placed at the range—such as correspond- Immediately behind the firing range exit. ing animals, theme pictures or points there should be a walk- colored shapes. way to accommodate instruc- tors and range personnel when Portable Air Gun Ranges firing is in progress. Formal Competitive Below are two examples of Ready Line/Ready Area: portable air gun ranges. They Range: are designed to be assembled The ready line is an established Traffic Patterns: in minutes and neatly fit into a line located approximately six case or a carrying bag. Efficient ranges are designed to eight feet behind the firing with traffic patterns that com- points. (The six to eight feet is Crosman Shooting Range plete a flow from entry to exit arbitrary, but represents ample without retracing steps. For room to maintain a non-con- example, shooters first stop gested thoroughfare behind the at a check-in point to register, firing points.) The immediate show authorizations for range area behind the ready line is use, receive a safety briefing, designated the “ready area.” or pick up targets and safety The ready area is designed to glasses. Shooters then proceed keep non-firing personnel away 12 to a “ready area” where they from the firing line while they are assigned a firing point and wait their turn to shoot. wait for the next available relay. Spectator Area: Once on the firing line, the flow moves up and down the The spectator area is a des- www.pyramydair.com/s/a/ range, retrieving and posting ignated space away from the Crosman_Medium_Shooting_ targets. If the number of down- main traffic thoroughfare that is Range_8_x12/1177 range access points is propor- reserved for guests and specta- tioned to the number of firing tors. If space is limited, specta- points, target changes can be tors can share the ready area achieved with maximum effi- with the waiting shooters. Creedmoor Portable Range ciency. At relay end, the pat- tern flows away from the range Lighting: shooting area to the scoring constructing an air gun range Even illumination across the target line is required both indoors and outdoors. Supple- mental lighting may be re- quired if sun through trees, shading, shadows or general low light conditions exist. Scoring Desk/Supplies: In order to maintain maximum range efficiency, a specific area away from the firing line www.creedmoorsports.com/ and main thoroughfare should shop/Portable_Air_Gun_ be established where shooters Range/ can go to review, exchange, and score fired targets. A sup- ply of pencils, scoring plugs, overlays and calculators can Chapter 5: The Next Steps
ow that you have your air • A person may practice in Section 19 of the NRA Rule Ngun program up and run- alone or enter a tourna- Books. ning and your group is working ment with hundreds of to achieve all its rockers for the other competitors and the Winchester/NRA Marksman- outcome is based totally on ship Qualification Program, you that person’s own ability. Tournaments may be wondering what else A Local Tournament is not can you do for them. • It’s invariably challenging because a perfect score is registered with the NRA. Get them into competitions! rarely fired. An Approved Tournament is a Start small with a local match that has been approved competition, maybe just among Then it is on to competitions, whether they are local, re- by the NRA after sponsors sub- the group, or invite a local mit an application. JROTC, 4-H or Boy Scout team gional or national. For more in for a friendly competition. information, visit the NRA’s A Registered Tournament is a Another choice would be a competition website for the match that has been approved postal match. Championship and Tourna- by the NRA after sponsors sub- ment Calendars. Another great mit an application. National Re- 13 What is a postal match? A resource for tournaments and cords may only be established postal match is where the matches is the NRA’s free on- in a Registered Tournament. competitors shoot the targets line magazine, Shooting Sports at their home range and then USA. For a free copy visit: send scores (and in some www.nrapublications.org/ssusa/ matches their actual target) to Youth Hunter Education be recorded for ranking and
Challenge the next steps awards. There are two types of postal matches—local postal, NRA Classification Another path you can follow which is not registered, and System is that of the Youth Hunter a registered NRA postal. For Education Challenge (YHEC). NRA’s list of annual postal Many new shooters do not en- This program is recognized matches visit: www.nrahq.org/ ter competitions because they as the most comprehensive compete/Postals/Junior3P-Air. feel they are not good enough youth hunting program in pdf and would not win anything. North America. YHEC is NRA’s This is true to some extent “graduate studies” program in because beginners typically do outdoor skills and safety train- not out-perform experienced ing for young hunters. Open Why Shoot competitors. The NRA Clas- only to those who have com- Competitively? Because: sification System, developed pleted hunter-safety training at to provide an equitable dis- the state or provincial level, the • Any person (male or female) tribution of awards, places all program is conducted under can compete on par with shooters in a particular class: simulated hunting conditions others of their approximate Marksman, Sharpshooter, to provide the best practical skill level. Expert, Master or High Master, environment for reinforcing and depending on the shooter’s av- testing a young hunter’s skills. • Young and old can com- erage score. Tournament spon- pete for the same prizes. From rifle, bow and muzzle- sors award prizes in each class, loader shooting at life-sized • Participants can become and in some tournaments, targets, to wildlife identifica- as skilled as the amount of depending on the number en- tion, to map-and-compass effort they invest. tered, second and third place. orienteering and more, YHEC Complete information on the participants get hands-on train- NRA Classification System is ing in eight skill areas, giving Awards and Scholarships Youth Wildlife Art Contest, them expertise in all methods email: [email protected] of hunting most types of game. Outstanding Achievement Youth Award State- and provincial-level YHEC programs, hosted by The Brownells/NRA Outstand- Affiliating or Enrolling volunteer instructors, draw an ing Achievement Youth Award with the NRA estimated 6,000 youths each recognizes juniors and young year. Top-ranked individuals adults who take an active part Become a part of our tradi- advance to the annual NRA in the shooting sports through tion-filled family! International Youth Hunter Edu- individual participation and cation Challenge, the pinnacle educational pursuits. By meet- Thousands of shooting clubs of the program. Midway USA is ing the requirements to be eli- across the nation enjoy the the official sponsor of YHEC. gible for the award, youth gain many benefits derived from a greater sense of responsibility affiliation with the NRA. Any To learn more about becoming and an appreciation for the group that conducts a pro- involved with YHEC visit the variety of shooting sports op- gram with air gun safety and website: www.nrahq.org/hunt- portunities available. For more shooting sports activities can ing/yhec/index.asp information and the require- become an NRA Club and take ments, visit: www.nrahq.org/ advantage of the NRA’s edu- youth/achievement.asp cational, training and program resources. Completing a few Path to the Olympics NRA Civil Rights Defense simple requirements will earn Fund Youth Essay Contest 1. Beginning/Entry Level your group the honor of be- longing to our tradition-filled 14 • Youth Programs The NRA Civil Rights Defense family. Fund sponsors a scholarly • State Shooting Camps writing contest for grades K-12. Affiliation is available to any • Coach Development Details of the contest can be group whose purpose and Programs found by following this link: objectives are aligned with www.nradefensefund.org/con- those of the NRA and who are 2. Intermediate Level tests-scholarships.aspx organized in compliance with • Regional Shooting NRA affiliation guidelines. NRA the next steps Camps Youth Education Summit affiliation does not impose • National Junior Shooting Forty outstanding current high control over the internal affairs Camps school sophomores and ju- of your club. The NRA respects the right of each club to govern • Junior Olympics (State) niors from across the United States are chosen each year to itself and select its own slate of 3. Advanced Development travel to the nation’s capital, activities. • Junior Olympic De- where they participate in this For more information visit: velopment or College week-long educational oppor- www.nrahq.org/clubs/start_a_ Team tunity. The summit encourages club.pdf young adults to become ac- • Junior Olympic Shooting tive and knowledgeable U.S. Camp citizens by learning about the • Advanced Shooting Constitution and Bill of Rights, Camps the federal government and the importance of being active in • Advanced Coach civic affairs. Apply online by Schools visiting: www.friendsofnra.org/ 4. National Team/National National.aspx?cid=90 Development Team 5. Pan-American Games/ NRA Youth Wildlife Art Con- World Championships/ test (George Montgomery/ Olympics NRA Wildlife Art Contest) For more information about the George Montgomery/NRA Grants from The NRA sentation methodology along shoot. NRA Instructor Training Foundation for your with the most up-to-date tech- Courses help you develop the niques and competition tactics additional knowledge, skills and Shooting Sports necessary to help you and your techniques needed to organize Program team achieve your goals. and teach courses in the NRA Basic Firearm Training Program. Need funding to help start your The Coach Education Program NRA Home Air Gun Program? is a cooperative effort of the Instructor training courses are major competitive shooting conducted by NRA Training The NRA Foundation provides organizations in the United Counselors. Training Counsel- financial support to countless States—the NRA, USA Shoot- ors are active and experienced programs and organizations ing (USAS), the Civilian Marks- instructors who have been ap- each year across the country manship Program (CMP), pointed by NRA to train experi- through its grant program. Vol- Amateur Trapshooting Asso- enced shooters to teach others unteer committees and donors ciation (ATA), National Skeet to shoot. NRA Instructor Train- help to raise charitable dollars Shooting Association (NSSA) ing courses are posted at www. through the Friends of NRA and the National Sporting nrainstructors.org/searchcourse. Program. In turn, these funds Clays Association (NSCA). The aspx, or you may request a list are awarded in the form of NRA is the governing body for of Training Counselors in your grants to support educational, many domestic shooting sports geographic area by contacting public service, training, range programs and administers the the NRA Training Department development and safety edu- Coach Education Program. at 703-267-1430. cation programs in our com- USAS is the National Govern- munities at the local, state and ing Body (NGB) for the Olym- To qualify as an NRA Instructor: national level. pic and International shooting 15 sports in the United States. The • Candidates must pos- States establish a State Fund CMP is a federally-chartered, sess and demonstrate a Committee comprised of one not-for-profit corporation solid background in firearm appointee from each fundrais- whose mission is to train U.S. safety and shooting skills ing committee. The State Fund citizens in marksmanship and acquired through previ- Committee reviews grant ap- firearm safety, with a particular ous firearm training and/or plications and makes funding previous shooting experi- emphasis on youth. The ATA is the next steps recommendations to The NRA the governing body for Amer- ence. Instructor candidates Foundation Board of Trustees. must be intimately familiar ican-style trapshooting. The with each action type in the For grant guidelines, eligibility NSSA is the governing body for discipline they wish to be requirements, submission dead- American-style skeet and NSCA certified. lines and electronic application is the governing body for sport- form, visit The NRA Foundation ing clays. • Candidates are required website: www.nrafoundation. The Coach Education Program to demonstrate solid and org/grants/statefund.asp National Rifle Association safe firearm handling skills 11250 Waples Mill Road by completing pre-course Fairfax, VA 22030 questionnaires and quali- NRA Training [email protected] fication exercises adminis- 703-267-1401 tered by the NRA Appoint- For Adult Leaders and Youth ed Training Counselor. The Coach Education Program, • Candidates must satisfac- under the Education and Train- Become an Instructor torily complete an NRA ing Division of the NRA, offers Instructor Training Course in both basic and advanced tech- Since 1871, a major objective the discipline they wish to nical and tactical skills coach of the National Rifle Associa- teach (e.g., NRA Basic Pistol training schools for rifle, pistol, tion is to provide education and Course), and receive the shotgun and high power rifle training in the safe and proper endorsement of the NRA disciplines along with training use of firearms. Knowing Training Counselor conduct- camps and clinics. how to shoot is an important ing that training. requirement for NRA instruc- Training reflects the latest in tors, but you will also need to coaching philosophy and pre- know how to teach others to Glossary raised band encircling its base Postal Match – A match that is to act as an air seal. shot on the home range with Air gun – A gun that propels a targets or scores sent to the projectile through its barrel by Diabolo pellets – An air gun host, where they are ranked use of compressed air or car- pellet with an hourglass shape, against other shooters compet- bon dioxide gas (CO2). Gun- named after the similarly – ing in the same match but from powder is not used in this type shaped object used in the remote locations. of gun. ancient games Diabolo. Rifling – Spiral grooves and Action – A group of moving Dieseling – The ignition and lands in the barrel bore that parts used to cock, compress detonation of low flash point provide spin to stabilize a pro- air (in some models), load, fire lubricants due to the high tem- jectile so that it will be more and unload an air gun. perature generated during the accurate in flight. rapid compression of air in a Backstop – The backstop/im- spring-piston air gun. Sights – Mechanical, optical or pact area is of size and material electronic devices used to aim to stop projectiles being fired. Dry Firing – Pulling the trigger a gun. Reference NRA Range Source of an unloaded gun. Book for information. Single stroke pneumatic air Firing Points – A designated gun – A type of pneumatic air BB – a spherical steel or lead area on the firing line from gun that uses one stroke of a ball which is .177 inches which one person can shoot. lever to compress and store (4.5mm) in diameter for lead; Firing Line – A line, or barrier, enough air in a reservoir or steel BBs actually have a maxi- chamber for one shot. mum diameter of .175 inch. that everyone must stay behind while the range is “hot,” or Smoothbore barrel – A barrel 16 BB Gun – An air gun that open to shooting. that is not rifled. shoots spherical steel or lead balls. Grooves – The shallow, spiral Spring-piston air gun – A cuts in a bore that together type of air gun which uses a Bore – The inside of the barrel with the lands make up the manually-operated lever or of a gun. rifling in the bore of a barrel. other device to cock a spring-
loaded piston that compresses the next steps Caliber – The diameter of a Hourglass pellet – An air gun pellet with an hourglass shape. air at the instant of firing. The projectile; measured by the air that propels the projectile is distance between the lands in a Lands – The ridges of metal not stored in a reservoir prior rifled barrel, or the bore diam- to firing. eter in a smoothbore barrel. between the grooves in a rifled barrel. Sporter Air Gun – A category CO2 cylinder or tank – A of air gun, mainly used by in- metal cylinder or tank used Muzzle – The front end of the barrel from which a projectile termediate shooters and begin- to contain carbon dioxide gas ning competitive shooters. (CO2). exits. Pellet – A projectile that is nor- Trap – A container that has Compressed CO2/air pneu- been constructed to catch and matic gun – A type of air gun mally fired from either an air gun or an air pistol. hold BBs and pellets once they that utilizes carbon dioxide pass through the target. gas (CO2) or air that has been Pistol – A gun that has a short compressed and stored in a barrel and can be held, aimed “X”– A shot scored as a 10 that metal cylinder, or air that was and fired with one hand. is within the “X-ring.” X counts compressed by an external air are used to break ties. pump. This type of air gun al- Plinking – Informal shooting at lows the firing of multiple shots a variety of targets. without recharging. Precision Air Rifle – Air gun Cylindrical pellets – A cylin- for advanced competitive drically-shaped air gun pellet shooters. that is usually designed with a National Rifle Association of America Education and Training Division Youth Programs Department